Dear Bernard
Of course it is easy to generalise, something I do too much.
I said that there was little conflict with farming but of course there was
resentment that it was the non mining population who had to support
unemployed/underpaid miners when the mineral owners/companies escaped scot free
until I think 1875.
Then, flying off down another tangent, the pressure for the poor to
emigrate was very strong throughout the 19th century (and earlier), more as a
means of reducing the burden on the parish. This was also true in other
agricultural areas without mining concerns. When a miner or young farmer had
enough money for land they often found themselves out-bid by the landed gentry
when land was power, so they too were likely to emigrate to America for
instance. This leaves another question, was there enough room in America for
both the natives and the immigrants or did we just transport our problems?
Interesting about the legacy of some the subsistence practices. In the late
60's and 70's my parents ran a small pub and kept a small-holding (both
rented). Dad worked as a gamekeeper and I worked at the quarry. Both the pub
and small holding helped towards my parents profit and for me looking after
the stock etc paid for my keep. There are still a few in the dale who keep
stock, originally for extra money, now as much as anything as a hobby.
At the quarry there were still men working there when I started who as
late as the 1950's would leave the quarry in summer for haytime work on farms.
Regards
Ian
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